Page 56 of Best Served Cold

Nick slipped off Gray’s lap. Gray stood and he and Kai embraced roughly, hugging each other tight as Kai whispered something to him.

I glanced at River to see how he was doing. Any sort of emotional situation always affected him. Seeing people sad made him sad.

He gave me a wobbly smile. He wasn’t okay, but he would be. I’d make sure of that.

Kai did a quick round of hugs, nearly crushing my ribs when he squeezed me like he was trying to get the last of the toothpaste out of a tube.

“Wow. Talk about mood killer.” Kai chuckled and raked his hand through his dark hair. “My bad.”

“Do we want to do shots, or switch to drinks?” Jett asked.

“Shots?” Kai asked the group.

“I’ll take a virgin of whatever,” Stone said. “Driving.”

“Same,” I said.

Jett glanced at Nick and Gray.

“Shots. I’m getting a drive and already told Evan to wait up because drunk Nick is a horny Nick.”

“Isn’t awake Nick a horny Nick?” River teased. “I’m good with whatever. This one is my DD.” He lightly cuffed my shoulder.

“Shots are good.” Gray braced as Nick jumped on his lap again.

“Did I hurt your dick?” he asked Gray.

“Not this time.”

“Oh good. Tell Caleb he’s welcome.” Nick patted Gray’s cheek.

“Are you going to give it to him now, or wait?” I asked River.

He bit his lip. “Maybe I shouldn’t. Is it weird?”

“It’s not weird.”

River had also drawn a portrait of Stone as a peace offering for the way we’d treated him. My brother wasn’t good with words, but he always found ways to show people he cared.

“Are you sure?”

The only time River wasn’t completely confident was when it came to his art. I hated that he doubted himself or his talent, but after years of being berated for being more artistic than academic, I doubted he’d ever get over it.

River picked up the envelope and scurried over to Stone. “I, um, made this for you. As a sorry. And a thanks. Like, sorry we were dicks and thanks for not holding it against us.”

Stone’s smile was bright and genuine and River instantly relaxed.

“I’d never say no to any of you holding your dick against me. Just saying,” Nick quipped.

“Do we need to tell Evan that you’re thirsting after your besties?” Gray teased.

“Forget Evan.” Kai laughed. “It’s his bodyguard I’d worry about.”

Nick smiled serenely. “They’re puppies. You just need to know how to handle them.”

“Holy shit.”

We all turned to Stone, who was staring in awe at the drawing River had given him.

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